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dab hand

noun

Definition of dab handnext
chiefly British
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field a British mystery writer who's an undisputed dab hand at building suspense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dab hand The actor and director remains a dab hand at occasion dressing. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025 All of which curious George, a dab hand at psychological manipulation, coaxes along with the gentlest of nudges. — Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025 Van Norden, a dab hand with Shakespeare, is a natural for Shaw. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024 Zach is a dab hand at herbal knockout potions and the occasional amateur amputation, and there’s a scene featuring the latter in which Wheatley indulges his twin tastes for deadpan comedy and head-on gross-outs to the extreme. — BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2021 In addition to the outfits of the characters in her famous self-portraits, American artist Cindy Sherman is also a dab hand at finds for herself. — Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab hand
  1. expert
  2. master
  3. scholar
  4. adept
  5. wizard
  6. artist
  7. virtuoso
  8. guru
Noun
  • Existing law also blocks most states from systematically purging voters from their rolls within 90 days of an election, said David Becker, an election law expert who leads the Center for Election Innovation and Research.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Laboratory officials declined to provide details, citing privacy concerns, but said experts from India, China, the United States, Singapore and South Korea were assisting with the work.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of expert
Noun
  • The university’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program has expanded to Charlotte, and Charlotte’s first graduate physician assistant program will welcome its inaugural class in January, officials said.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Billiter holds a master’s degree in public safety leadership and executive management from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in emergency services management from Union Institute and University.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of master
Noun
  • But what the young scholar doesn’t say is that his heart has already dedicated itself, and not to the academy.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In the twenty-tens, legal scholars began turning their attention to the law of the robot.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of scholar
Noun
  • Still, the question of what Ebel was doing with his adepts swept through Prussia, dominating the newspapers that had only recently begun to emerge from their eighteenth-century chronicling of obligations to a more modern publicizing role.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Lest things get predictable, Tasjan’s adept at letting the music battle with the lyrics in a way that hints at how any experience is far more complex than we are led to believe.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026
Definition of adept
Noun
  • Ever since, witches, wizards, and dragons have bored me silly.
    — Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
  • California’s tech wizards were busy helping lead the world into the Information Age, notably the fledgling commercial promise of the Internet.
    — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of wizard
Noun
  • Bodies and histories do not politely wait outside the studio until the artist grants them entrance.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Artist Loft features artists in residence who teach workshops in various mediums, from collage to watercolor.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of artist
Noun
  • Great virtuosi such as violinist Isaac Stern, pianist Van Cliburn, soprano Leontyne Price and hosts of other incredible artists, both American and from abroad, blessed our concert halls with their dazzling artistry.
    — Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In 2023, the comedian, actor, writer, and banjo virtuoso Steve Martin was walking through SoHo, followed closely by two men holding a laptop.
    — David Owen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Noun
  • The player’s dining companions included his wife, Mariah Riddlesprigger, as well as hospitality guru David Grutman, who owns the Japanese steakhouse with Bad Bunny.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • She’s lured to her choice by Ricki, played by Lily James, a charismatic empowerment guru who sees Rita as a mark, and her hauntedness as a source of vulnerability.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of guru

Browse Nearby Words

dabbling
dab hand
dab hands
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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